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Messing about on the river - today - 3 May

Not content with helping to run the Group, John Pickering and Gary Townrow will be attempting to row the 145 mile length of the River Thames, (from Lechlade to Tower Bridge), to raise funds for Help For Heroes and their Sea Scout Groups. John and Gary are both scout leaders with the4th New Forest (Eling) and 25th Southampton Sea Scouts.

The attempt will take place over the first full week of May Starting on Saturday the 3rd.

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All the funds raised will be split 75% to Help for Heroes and 25 % to the Scout Groups, which will go towards purchasing a new pulling boat and other kit.

John has been working with the Heroes based at Tedworth house in Tidworth for the last two years, running a monthly boating session on Testwood Lakes at Eling Sea Scout headquarters in Totton during the Spring and Summer months. This has been arranged with the support of Ian Bellamy, Dean Williams and leaders from both Scout Groups. John works for BT Openreach and is fortunate that they support him by providing extra time to run these boating sessions. They will be assisted by Phil Rawdon who will drive the suppor vehicle for the trip.

"Having seen first hand the enormous amount of effort and determination that the soldiers put in, to adapt either themselves or the activity, so that they can take part, I decided that it was time to do something which would be challenging for me that required a significant amount of effort. As this attempt was too much to take on by myself I asked Gary, (who has just retired from the Territorial Army), if he would like to join me. After speaking to his employers Red Penguin Associates Ltd (consultants in undersea cable installation) he agreed to come with their full support."